Water-blocks Danger Den and AquaStone for processors and video cards
Date: 04.10.2005
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AquaStone water-block for a processor with two and three unions
For tests, we received a three-union model with fittings for a 12-mm hose. Using it, we analyzed the performance of the two-union model, and in that case the center hole for the fitting was closed with a cap.
The water-block did have its own package - it was simply wrapped into a plastic bag together with the fastener and sealed in a way sufficient for the Russian post service. Unfortunately, there isn't much to say regarding the package bundle of the water-block: all it has is shown on the photo. As you see, they forgot to put nuts for pressing the water-block. So we had to invent our own ways.
 The cover of the water-block is peppered with fastening holes thus providing universality of the product for use with any platforms. On the cover, there are traces from the milling cutter, which spoils the first favorable impression a bit. The base is nickel-plate, the way it is for Cooled Silence CPU. This coating will not let the copper grow dim with time, which is not a problem, albeit not pleasant. The water-block uses quick-disconnect Camozzi fittings. At the base of the threading, there is a sealing rubber washer. The fittings should be screwed in with caution to prevent leakage. The water-block itself is sealed with a sealant which is not seen anywhere outside, but is there within.
The processing quality of the base is satisfactory. It is smooth but there are traces of processing which are even felt to touch. Since the surface is nickel-plated, you can't polish the base to the ideal condition without spoiling the appearance, otherwise the nickel layer will go off.
The inner surface of the water-block is made up of many "pyramids" which don't touch the cover. That is, between the water-block base and the cover there is a gap, which combined with the use of pyramids promises good results at hydraulic resistance. In the three-union model, water is fed to the center, in the two-union model - to any of the unions since there is no hole in the center. Inside the water-block, due to partitions the water runs in zigzags and washes the whole surface uniformly, which will certainly be good to the efficiency (remember the Cooled Silence CPU modification which resulted in the rise of efficiency).
 It is hard to choose a more precise word for the procedure of water-block installation on top of the processor than "torture". Among the causes if that is deficiency of supply, but that is not the only cause. As you can see on the photo, the fastening bolts are low, approximately on par with the height of the fittings. That does good to the appearance, but also brings up problems since the springs stick up above the bolts. Imagine that you have to hold the water-block on the processor with one hand, with a nut in the other hand, press the spring and try screwing in the nut while the fastening bolt is freely turning together with the nut. Imagined? Now add another fastening bolt to the picture and that as you press the spring on one side, the other side is lifting up, which makes the procedure more complicated. And the springs are good, rigid...
All in all, I would rather not recommend a water-block for processors with the chip open. The "patient" would rather die from the cure before you manage to push the temperature down. Once the water-block has been installed, you momentarily feel the true happiness as if David defeated Goliath (or vice versa). We have to admit that because of low bolts the water-block on the processor looks better than in the hands, and the pressing is good indeed.
To simulate performance of the two-union model, the center hole was closed with a plug. The Camozzi fittings which we used need some explanation. The water-blocks can be equipped with fittings for a hose of 12 mm and 10 mm in outer diameter, while the hole in them is approximately the same. In the tests, we used hoses of 8 mm inner diameter. If you can use a 10mm/12mm hose, the results may somehow change to the better. Make sure the hose is rigid enough, otherwise the fittings will be simply unable to keep hold of it.
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